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The light filters in through the curtains, coloring the room with blue hues. It draws Hummer out of his sleep with much effort.
He nearly falls asleep again as tiredness seems to be dragging him ever deeper.
Hummer shifts in his bed. The sheets are nice and soft, yet the warmth is uncomfortable. He forces his eyes open, staring at the ceiling for several long moments before he eventually pushes the covers down.
He slips out of the bed, his feet landing on the hardwood floor. The frills on the side of his head stretch out as he enjoys the chill of the morning air. He was never very fond of warmth.
Dizziness pervades his senses, reminding him of another reason he hates the heat aside from the fact it simply isn't enjoyable to be in. He just isn't made to be in a warm environment.
Hummer stands up and grabs the tv mask off of his nightstand. It's big and clunky, obscuring his view of the floor as he holds it.
Without a thought, he turns and begins to walk towards his door as he lifts the mask up to his head. Then, as if to make his day awful, he slips on a piece of clothing on the ground.
It's takes him a few moments to realize what's happening. By the time he does, the tv is flying out of his hands and his face is rapidly approaching the floor. He shrieks, shoving his hands underneath him just in time to use as a cushion.
It still hurts a bit, but he's sure it reduced a lot of pain. As if on que, a loud crash fills the air. He looks up to see his precious tv mask smashed up with an entire corner noticably dented in.
And—
Levi feels as though his heart drops to his stomach. The screen in shattered, with a giant hole through it that makes it impossible to use as a mask.
It seems like he's in front of the tv in an instant, his hands gripping it tightly as he assesses the damage.
His hands shake as he hesitates to touch it. He doesn't want to make it worse. He just wants it to be fine.
He blinks furiously, trying to clear his now-blurry vision so he can see. It needs to be fixed. To fix it, he needs to see.
His hand passes over a sharp edge of the glass screen, cutting it. He hardly notices.
Hummer reaches into the tv to try and push out the dent. It's stupid, he knows. But what else is he meant to do?
It doesn't work.
Frustrated, he lays his head on the top of the tv and lets the tears fall from his eyes. He inhales shakily, trying his best not to sob.
"...mmer?"
Levi jolts up, his clawed fingers scraping loudly against the metal. He can't help but cringe at the sound.
"Are you okay?" Wifies' voice sounds through the door, muffled yet still managing to sound worried. A hot embarrassment runs through Hummer.
"Um— yeah, yeah! I'm fine!" He makes an effort to sound cheerful and whatever should be normal. It's unconvincing.
Wifies is silent for a long moment. Levi is nearly convinced he left, if not for the lack of retreating footsteps.
"...Well, if something did happen, then I would be more than willing to help. I'm not going to judge you." The other says soothingly. Hummer chews on his lip anxiously, his mind coming to a halt as he stressed about his lack of mask.
He doesn't want Wifies to see his face. He can't let that happen. His eyes are horrifying, and he looks monstrous. Wifies has been treating him so human that he can't bear to give it up yet.
"No, there's nothing to be done." Levi's voice wavers. He hears a sigh on the other side of the door, listening to what he imagines is Wifies sitting down.
It's quiet for several long moments, and Hummer notices that tears begin to well up in his eyes. His breathing is as fucked as anyones is while they're panicking.
"You know my friend, Parrot?" Wifies asks suddenly. Levi's racing mind comes to a full stop at the randomness of it.
"...Your old best friend?" Levi echoes, confused.
"Yep. There was this one time where we were fighting these people... they weren't particularly important or anything. We won the fight, since there were only a few of them and they weren't very good at fighting." Wifies begins.
"But one of them snatched this spyglass from Parrot. It got broken into about a million pieces." Wifies laughs softly, as if reminiscing.
Hummer finds himself engrossed in the story, curious. The other is always so secretive about his past, never wanting to talk about it much aside from vague details. (It's a bit hypocritical to blame him, though, when Hummer himself likes to keep secrets.)
"This spyglass was very important to Parrot, and once we became close, we would take turns keeping it for a bit. It represented our friendship." The explanation is tinged with a melancholy that Levi doesn't quite understand.
Hummer presses his back against the door with his knees to his chest. He imagines that Wifies has his back to the door as well.
"Parrot was so upset that it broke, and he refused to let me replace it. I didn't get it at the time. Even so, I sat there in front of him and put the spyglass back together. It took hours, and my fingers were cramping." Wifies talks about this part with mild amusement.
"Was it difficult?" Hummer asks before he thinks, immediately cringing afterwards. He relaxes a bit as Wifies chuckles.
"Very much so. Parrot didn't think I could do it, but I did. I couldn't stand seeing him so upset for any longer.
"By the time I was done, the spyglass still looked beat up, but it was fixed. Parrot wouldn't stop smiling for days. I would always see him looking at the spyglass as if it was worth a million dollars.
"I understand why now, I think. We... aren't close anymore, but I still have the spyglass. I look at it every now and again. It's a reminder of the good times." Wifies finishes his story with a happier tone.
Hummer sniffles. Wifies always sounds so sad whenever he talks about Parrot, and he can't help but wonder what could have happened. Selfishly, he is a bit thankful for it. He might not have been able to meet Wifies otherwise.
"Thats so romantic, it's like something out of a novel." Levi murmurs, smiling slightly as he tilts his head back against the door. Wifies sounds as though he chokes on air.
"Wow, that's quite the description. Parrot would be seething to hear that, even back then." The other laughs, the happiness seemingly infectious as Levi begins to feel a lot better.
"Why's that?" Hummer asks, mildly curiously.
"He's aroace. Even the idea of being romantic icks him out." Wifies answers with ease, a smile in his voice.
"Oh, that's cool." After responding, Hummer glances down at the broken tv. He clasps his hands together in a self-soothing motion.
He can trust Wifies. The guy obviously cares enough to share something so personal, and something so relevant at that. Hummer knows that Wifies had a clear objective with it, but it made him feel so much better.
"...I broke my— my tv mask." His voice cracks as he speaks, irritating him briefly. His finger twitches.
Wifies hums from the other side of the door.
"Do you mind if I fix it?" The brunette asks carefully.
"Fine, but you have to keep your eyes closed while I give it to you." Levi finally comes to a decision, relenting slightly. It's not like he really has a choice. In fact, he should be grateful for Wifies being willing to fix it for him.
"Of course. Let me stand up, and I'll hold my hands out and you can hand it to me while my eyes are closed." Wifies shuffles, his clothes rustling quietly as he does what he said he would.
"Okay, my eyes are closed." He chirps several moments later.
There's a rush of anxiety as Levi picks up the tv and grabs the door handle. A voice in the back of his mind tells him that he has no way of knowing for sure if Wifies really closed his eyes or not.
He trusts Wifies. He does, truly. But he just can't bring himself to be anywhere near okay with just showing how inhuman he looks. (What if Wifies stops treating him so human? What if Wifies leaves—)
Hummer exhales slowly, then opens the door.
There stands Wifies, his hair messy from sleep and his arms outstretched. His eyes are closed, much to Levi's relief.
Hummer gingerly sets the busted up tv mask in Wifies' hands, watching as the guy adjusts his grip to hold it better. It seems like such a kind gesture that Hummer can't help but feel sentimental.
He shuts the door, sniffling emotionally.
"You can open your eyes now." Hummer says as he slides down the door back into his sitting position. He's not panicing anymore per se, but it is very comforting to sit that way.
Wifies makes a small noise of acknowledgement. There's some minor noise, presumably from him assessing the damage.
"This design is very interesting. Did you make it yourself?" The intrigue in Wifies' voice is surprising, though in hindsight, it probably shouldn't be. Hummer had thought that the only things that interested him were mysteries. Apparently he thought wrong.
"No, I stole it from someone who tried finding... the Leviathan. I think his name was Apollo or something." Hummer tries his best to recall the name, hoping that he remembered correctly. He'd feel bad to be wrong.
"Hm. Alright." Wifies absentmindedly replies as he moves. It sounds as though he slides down into a sitting position, mirroring Levi's own.
It's a bit romantic, if you stop and think about it. Wifies seems to make everything better.
Levi can't help but smile at the thought. Even if it's completely ridiculous, it's still something make makes him happy.
As Wifies begins to do whatever he's doing, Hummer let's his eyes slip closed. He's content just to listen and keep him company.
He sits there for a while. He eventually dozes off into a light sleep, dreaming of various things.
When he finally opens his eyes again, the sun is gone. It's night again.
He yawns as he stretches, his muscles stiff from sleeping in such an awkward position.
"You're awake?" Wifies calls out, startling Hummer. He cuts off his yawn abruptly.
"Oh my days, you scared me! You haven't been there this entire time, have you?" He frets. The frills on the side of his head tremble as he tugs on his hair slightly.
"I had to go get some materials a bit earlier, but otherwise I've been here. I fixed the tv mask up. I also altered some things that might make it more comfortable for you." Wifies explains amusedly.
Hummer jumps to his feet excitedly, joy bringing a smile to his face.
"Really? Can I have it back now?" He questions excitedly, pressing his hands against the door. Wifies snickers. There's a bit of noise as he moves, then he speaks up.
"Of course. I'm holding it out, and my eyes are closed." The brunette answers.
On any normal day, Hummer would probably overthink Wifies' amusement. But the only thing on his mind right now is getting his mask back. (Of course, he is also thinking about the person who fixed it for him.)
He opens the door, happily grabbing the mask and putting it over his head. It's comfortable. He had expected it to be less comfortable than before with how bad the dent was, but it isn't. He's sure this is one of the things Wifies said he did in addition to fixing it.
He jumps forward, wrapping his arms around Wifies. The man startles, his hands flying up and landing on Hummer's back as his eyes instinctively open. He clearly hesitates for a moment before awkwardly returning the hug.
Levi backs up after a few moments, not wanting to push too much. Even so, he can't contain his joy.
"I truly appreciate you, Wifies. You're my savior." Hummer says, clasping his hands together so that he has somewhere to put them.
"Anytime, Hummer. I'm going to be here for a while anyway." Wifies' eyes soften, his tone gentle. He sounds like he means it, like he is proud to have been able to help.
Seemingly out of the blue, Wifies reaches out and grabs Hummer's hand. He turns it over.
Levi pauses at the sight of the cut, still bleeding. He hadn't even realized he had it.
A mild nausea makes his throat feel tight as he realizes his hand is bare. Wifies can see the way his skin is more blue and grey than brown or pink. Wifies can see the scales decorating various places. He can see the way his nails seem more like claws than anything else, and the way his nailbeds are blue.
Most horrifyingly, Wifies can see the fact his blood is blue. It's a bright blue, not at all red like a human's should be.
Hummer wants to say something, but he feels like he can't. It's as though barbed wire is wrapped around his throat and keeping him from talking.
Wifies breaks the silence first.
"You got hurt?" Wifies questions sharply, an edge to his voice that makes Hummer shrink back. His gaze is like a knife, sharp enough to cut far deeper than the wound Hummer actually has.
Its a bit frightening.
Hummer also notices the way that Wifies' irises are as dark as his pupils. It's something he hadn't seen before, somehow.
"Uh, yeah, it seems like I did. I don't—" Levi begins to explain himself, but he is quickly cut off.
"Why didn't you say something sooner?" Wifies hisses, immediately pulling Hummer towards the bathroom. He turns on the lights and turns the knob of the sink, letting the water flow for a second before putting Hummer's hand under it.
The water stings as it gets into the cut. Levi bites his tongue, forcing back any potential reaction to the pain. A flash of irritation crosses Wifies' face.
"Why do you care so much?" Levi manages to ask with much struggle, his voice wavering. Wifies glances up at him.
"It could get infected, and it will take longer to heal. It might leave a scar on your skin." Wifies speaks after a moment, sounding as though he's trying to speak in a softer tone than he had earlier. Hummer can still hear the edge in his voice, but it's much duller.
He also noticed how Wifies dodged the question.
"But why do you care?" Hummer asks again, pointedly. Wifies sighs, looking up to make eye contact. (At least, with the cartoony eyes on the screen.)
"I just want you to be safe, Levi." Wifies answers so earnestly that Hummer finds himself a bit flustered.
He isn't quite sure how he should react. Thankfully, he isn't given the opportunity to.
Wifies turns off the water and, after grabbing a small washcloth, pats the area dry. He then presses gauze against the wound tightly.
"Do you happen to know how your blood works?" Wifies asks, glancing up at the tv screen. Levi messes with the collar of his shirt absentmindedly.
"Um... no?" Hummer winces as Wifies briefly lets go in order to add another piece of gauze on top of the one that has just bled through. The slightly painful pressure in back within moments, as if it never disappeared.
"Well, it's important. So I've thought a bit, and I'm pretty sure that your blood is blue because it has hemocyanin. It makes sense for why your injury acted a lot worse than it actually was." Wifies begins to talk, seemingly theorizing aloud.
Hummer feels a bit of discomfort, but the topic is admittedly somewhat fascinating. It's not like he's ever researched himself before.
"Just to be safe, I'm going to say that there should be pressure on it for about fifteen minutes. Do you think that you can do that yourself?" Wifies gives Hummer an explanation before asking the question.
"Yeah, I'm sure I can manage that." Levi agrees. Wifies then guides his hand to the wound, quickly switching so that Hummer is the one putting pressure on it.
Levi quickly makes sure to hold it down as Wifies pulls away.
"Right. You stay here for a moment, I'm going to clean up any shards that might be on your floor." Wifies decides, walking out of the bathroom. Levi stares blankly as he processes the words, then he trails behind.
"You don't have to, truly." Levi tries to say, but Wifies clearly is not listening.
"You have already injured yourself, Hummer. I don't want it to happen again. Especially not in the very same day from the same thing." Wifies crosses his arms as he speaks, pausing just long enough to shoot down any sort of rejection of his help.
Hummer lets out a breath of defeat, staring out the doorway in an attempt to watch Wifies work. Its an inconvenient angle, but he makes do. He can see a bit of the scene from his spot.
Wifies pulls a small broom and dustpan from his inventory as if it's normal. He sweeps up the entire mess in less than ten seconds, but he takes nearly triple that time as he makes sure there is nothing he missed.
As the excitement wears off, Levi is hit by a sudden wave of tiredness. He feels woozy. He leans over the bathroom counter, breathing quicker than he should.
Wifies notices, quickly putting the items away and moving to be beside him.
"Are you okay?" He asks, concern evident in his voice.
"Yeah, 'm fine... it's just too warm is all." Hummer answers with a faint laugh. Or, at least, as much of one as he can manage.
Hummer can practically see the gears turning in Wifies' brain as he thinks. His expression stiffens as he seemingly comes to a conclusion.
"I'll get you ice to help you cool down quickly. Can I get you to the bed first?" Wifies extends a hand, which Hummer takes as he nods in agreement.
The other pulls him up, supporting him and they walk to the bed. He then helps Levi get situated, ensuring there is still pressure on the wound before turning and walking out of the room.
Hummer clicks his tongue anxiously, trying to hear where Wifies is. It makes his dizziness a hundred times worse.
This whole situation sucks. He very much misses the deep ocean and it's frigid waters; he belongs there. He hadn't realized how hot it could get in this house since he has never stayed here for a prolonged period, much less while he is unconscious.
...Maybe he should not have bothered trying to act like a normal person. He isn't one, and this proves he'll never be.
He doesn't get why Wifies thinks he's worth something.
He isn't—
"I'm back." Wifies calls out, seemingly having snuck back into the room.
Levi jolts up into a sitting position. He hadn't even noticed Wifies come back in. In fact, he doesn't even have an idea of how long it took. It takes him a moment to realize he just stopped putting pressure on his cut.
"Hey, hey. Lay back down. It's alright." Wifies approachs and gently pushes Levi back into a laying position. He doesn't fight it.
Wifies puts pressure onto the wound again, doing it himself this time with he left hand. He begins to place icepacks at various spots with his free hand. It initially seems to be random, but it takes very little time for Hummer to begin to feel better.
The most notably comforting ones are the two on either side of his neck, helping cool his head that's under the tv mask.
"You didn't have to." Hummer says guiltily. He feels bad that Wifies has had to do so much for him today.
Another part of him feels gratified. It's a nice feeling being cared for, and Levi can't help but think it's rather charming.
"I want to." Wifies murmurs, carefully adjusting the icepacks so that they're in just the right spots.
"Plus, I feel responsible. I literally saw the blood on the tv when I was fixing it, but I didn't realize that's what it was until I saw your hand bleeding." He elaborates a bit more, sounding mildly regretful.
"That's not your fault." Hummer immediately speaks up. Wifies has done so much already, there's no way Hummer can allow him to feel guilty.
Wifies hums, acknowledging the statement without agreeing nor disagreeing. It's probably for the best, Hummer thinks.
"By the way—" Wifies begins— "You don't have to force yourself to do things just to accommodate me or seem more normal, you know?"
The brunette pokes Hummer's shoulder. It's a playful gesture, helping to take the edge off of the whole situation.
"I know..." Levi pouts, and it's practically audible in his voice. The other lets out a breath of laughter at the tone.
"If you really want to, then I can turn this into an ice bed so it's always cold for you. I'll just need some packed ice." Wifies suggests. Hummer visibly brightens, the screen flickering.
"Really?!" He exclaims, his uninjured hand grabbing hold of Wifies' free hand. "That would be delightful!"
Wifies seems taken aback by the enthusiasm. He laughs softly, smiling as he looks at Hummer.
"Yeah, of course. We can do that tomorrow."